For everyone, the complementary of combination aromatherapy and massage could promote well-being and help prevent illness and it is an excellent relaxing way leaving you and your partner calm and easily drift off to sleep.

Massage techniques are so easy to learn. Just follow the basic massage strokes that I want to share with you and learn how to combine essential oils you need. Invite your partner to learn as well and so that you can massage each other and experience how the strokes feel.

During a massage it is important that both of you feel at ease and create the right environment for a most pleasurable and enjoyable relaxation. You could play soft music and have soft lightning and make sure the room is warm.

But before starting to massage, please take the following safety precaution :

• During pregnancy, consult a doctor or a qualified aromatherapist as there are several essential oils that should be avoided
• Avoid prolonged use of the same essential oils
• Be sure to avoid wounded areas
• Never massage someone with inflammatory conditions such as varicose veins, thrombosis or phlebitis, acute back pain and any other serious medical condition.

Choose an aromatherapy massage formula that appeals to you or your partner or select blends that are suited to your requirements or the effects you need to attain. Try to use a weak blend of oils as it is smells better and more effective.

Preparing for a massage
Add a pleasant essential oil fragrance to the room before the treatment
If a massage table is not available, work on the floor padded with layers of thick blankets then cover with large towel.
Make sure you have everything to hand so that the treatment is not interrupted

Choosing Essential Oils

Always make sure that you are using a diluted blend of aromatherapy oils. For best results, all massage formulas should be massaged for at least 30 minutes to be absorbed well by the skin.

Decide the essential oils that you are wishing for to achieve : is it just to pamper, to sedate, to revive, to energize or to calm ? Choose one on this list.

Ache and pain relievers :

• Rosemary 5 drops
• Nutmeg 5 drops
• Lavender 5 drops
• Carrier oil 1 tablespoon (15 ml)

Calming :

• Petit grain 6 drops
• Orange 5 drops
• Neroli 4 drops
• Carrier oil 1 tablespoon (15 ml)
• Energizing
• Lime 5 drops
• Cumin 5 drops
• Clove 5 drops
• Carrier oil 1 tablespoon (15 ml)

Reviving

• Palmarosa 4 drops
• Ylang-ylang 4 drops
• Orange 4 drops
• Lime 3 drops
• Carrier oil 1 tablespoon (15 ml)

Refreshing

• Spearmint 5 drops
• Sweet basil 3 drops
• Lime 3 drops
• Rosemary 3 drops
• Eucalyptus 3 drops
• Bergamot 3 drops
• Carrier oil 4 teaspoons (20 ml)

Starting to massage

Everybody loves back massage because it releases much of the tension that accumulates through the day. Begin with back rub, use a smooth, stroking movement downward with your thumbs on either side of the spine then move your hands to the side and glide back up to the shoulders.

With a kneeling position at your partner side, place you hands flat, move one hand at a time to make smooth stroking. Work all the way up and down one side of the back a few times. Repeat on the other side. Remember to work smoothly and rhythmically to create a hypnotic effect.

To make your partner feel relaxed and give an amazing soothing effect, use both of your hands alternately to grasp, lift and gently squeeze the back muscles in a continuous kneading motion (just like kneading dough). This technique helps tone the muscles.

Place your hand on the left shoulder blade, and your left hand on the right hip. Lean forward to gently stretch the back. Try to keep a constant, steady pressure. Repeat on the other side.

Massage can have a wonderful effect on our muscles as well as our whole sense of well-being. Who wants to rely on morphin or any other drugs to release pain and eliminate tension if massage give them all in natural and safe way ? But I assure you , it gives enjoyable feeling that you will be addicted to !